Control device of injection molding machine, injection molding machine, and recording medium

ABSTRACT

A control device of an injection molding machine, the control device including an output part configured to output, to a display device, waveform information indicating, by a waveform, a change of each item indicating an actual value detected in a process by the injection molding machine; and a receiving part configured to receive an operation to specify a range of the waveform information, wherein the output part further outputs, to one or both of the display device and a storage device, information indicating a characteristic of each of the items included in the specified range.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§ 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-139330, filed on Aug. 27,2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a control device of an injectionmolding machine, an injection molding machine, and a recording medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various sensors have conventionally been installed in injection moldingmachines. Thus, in injection molding machines, a technology has beenproposed to display, on a display device, waveform data representing, bywaveforms, various processes during injection molding based on detectionsignals from sensors, or setting contents set by a user.

In recent years, various techniques have been proposed to displaywaveform data on the display device of injection molding machines. Forexample, in the conventional technology, there is proposed a technologyof making the display device also have the function of a measuringinstrument, by displaying a scale for each item when displaying thewaveform of the detected signal, with respect to each of a plurality ofitems.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided acontrol device of an injection molding machine, the control deviceincluding an output part configured to output, to a display device,waveform information indicating, by a waveform, a change of each itemindicating an actual value detected in a process by the injectionmolding machine; and a receiving part configured to receive an operationto specify a range of the waveform information, wherein the output partfurther outputs, to one or both of the display device and a storagedevice, information indicating a characteristic of each of the itemsincluded in the specified range.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the state of an injection molding machine accordingto the first embodiment at the time of mold opening completion;

FIG. 2 illustrates the state of the injection molding machine accordingto the first embodiment at the time of mold clamping;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the elements of the control deviceaccording to the first embodiment in functional blocks;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a display screen output by the outputpart according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the display screen output by the outputpart according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the control performed when receivinga specification of a range specified in a selected range display fieldin the control device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a log information screen output by theoutput part according to the first embodiment; and

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of the display screen output by the outputpart according to a second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the conventional technology, abnormality detection is performeddepending on whether or not a predetermined range exceeds an allowablevalue. However, the range that the user wants to monitor often differsdepending on the situation.

One aspect of the present invention provides a technology that canimplement detailed quality control, by facilitating the operation ofsetting a range to be monitored, thereby making it possible toappropriately identify the situation of the range.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below withreference to the drawings. Identical or corresponding configurations ineach drawing may be given the same or corresponding symbols andexplanations thereof may be omitted.

FIG. 1 illustrates the state of the injection molding machine accordingto the first embodiment at the time of mold opening completion. FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating the state of the injection molding machineaccording to the first embodiment at the time of mold clamping. In thepresent specification, the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis directions areperpendicular to each other. The X-axis direction and the Y-axisdirection represent the horizontal direction, and the Z-axis directionrepresents the vertical direction. When a mold clamping unit 100 ishorizontal, the X-axis direction is the mold opening and closingdirection and the Y-axis direction is the width direction of aninjection molding machine 10. The negative side in the Y-axis directionis referred to as “the operation side”, and the positive side in theY-axis direction is referred to as “the non-operation side”.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the injection molding machine 10includes the mold clamping unit 100 that opens and closes a mold unit800, an ejector unit 200 that ejects the molding product formed by themold unit 800, an injection unit 300 that injects the molding materialinto the mold unit 800, a moving unit 400 that moves the injection unit300 forward and backward with respect to the mold unit 800, a controldevice 700 that controls each element of the injection molding machine10, and a frame 900 that supports each element of the injection moldingmachine 10. The frame 900 includes a mold clamping unit frame 910supporting the mold clamping unit 100 and an injection unit frame 920supporting the injection unit 300. The mold clamping unit frame 910 andthe injection unit frame 920 are respectively installed on a floor 2 viaa leveling adjuster 930. The control device 700 is arranged in theinternal space of the injection unit frame 920. Each element of theinjection molding machine 10 is described below.

Mold Clamping Unit

In the explanation of the mold clamping unit 100, the moving directionof a movable platen 120 when the mold is closed (for example, thepositive X-axis direction) is described as forward, and the movingdirection of the movable platen 120 when the mold is opened (forexample, the negative X-axis direction) is described as backward.

The mold clamping unit 100 closes, pressurizes (boosts the pressure),clamps, depressurizes, and opens the mold unit 800. The mold unit 800includes a stationary mold 810 and a movable mold 820. The mold clampingunit 100 is a horizontal type, for example, and the mold opening andclosing direction is the horizontal direction. The mold clamping unit100 has a stationary platen 110 to which the stationary mold 810 isattached, the movable platen 120 to which the movable mold 820 isattached, and a moving mechanism 102 for moving the movable platen 120in the mold opening and closing direction with respect to the stationaryplaten 110.

The stationary platen 110 is fixed to the mold clamping unit frame 910.The stationary mold 810 is attached to the surface of the stationaryplaten 110 facing the movable platen 120.

The movable platen 120 is arranged so as to be movable in the moldopening and closing direction with respect to the mold clamping unitframe 910. On the mold clamping unit frame 910, a guide 101 is laid toguide the movable platen 120. The movable mold 820 is attached to thesurface of the movable platen 120 facing the stationary platen 110.

The moving mechanism 102 moves the movable platen 120 forward andbackward with respect to the stationary platen 110 to close, pressurize(boost the pressure), clamp, depressurize, and open the mold unit 800.The moving mechanism 102 includes a toggle support 130 spaced apart fromthe stationary platen 110, a tie bar 140 connecting the stationaryplaten 110 and the toggle support 130, a toggle mechanism 150 that movesthe movable platen 120 in the mold opening and closing direction withrespect to the toggle support 130, a mold clamping motor 160 that causesthe toggle mechanism 150 to operate, a motion conversion mechanism 170that converts the rotational motion of the mold clamping motor 160 intoa linear motion, and a mold space adjustment mechanism 180 that adjuststhe interval between the stationary platen 110 and the toggle support130.

The toggle support 130 is spaced apart from the stationary platen 110and is mounted on the mold clamping unit frame 910 so as to be movablein the mold opening and closing direction. Note that the toggle support130 may be arranged so as to be movable along a guide laid on the moldclamping unit frame 910. The guide of the toggle support 130 may be thesame as the guide 101 of the movable platen 120.

In the present embodiment, the stationary platen 110 is fixed to themold clamping unit frame 910 and the toggle support 130 is arranged withrespect to the mold clamping unit frame 910 so as to be movable in themold opening and closing direction, but the toggle support 130 may befixed to the mold clamping unit frame 910 and the stationary platen 110may be arranged with respect to the mold clamping unit frame 910 so asto be movable in the mold opening and closing direction.

The tie bar 140 connects the stationary platen 110 and the togglesupport 130 with an interval L in the mold opening and closingdirection. Multiple tie bars 140 (e.g., 4) may be used. The multiple tiebars 140 are arranged parallel to the mold opening and closing directionand extend according to the mold clamping force. At least one tie bar140 may be provided with a tie bar distortion detector 141 that detectsthe distortion of the tie bar 140. The tie bar distortion detector 141sends a signal indicating the detection result thereof to the controldevice 700. The detection result of the tie bar distortion detector 141is used for the detection of the mold clamping force, etc.

Although the tie bar distortion detector 141 is used as the moldclamping force detector for detecting the mold clamping force in thepresent embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. Themold clamping force detector is not limited to a distortion gauge type,but may be a piezoelectric type, a capacitive type, a hydraulic type, anelectromagnetic type, etc., and the attachment position thereof is notlimited to the tie bar 140.

The toggle mechanism 150 is arranged between the movable platen 120 andthe toggle support 130 to move the movable platen 120 with respect tothe toggle support 130 in the mold opening and closing direction. Thetoggle mechanism 150 includes a crosshead 151 that moves in the moldopening and closing direction and a pair of link groups that bend andstretch by the movement of the crosshead 151. The pair of link groupsincludes a first link 152 and a second link 153, which are flexiblyconnected by a pin or the like. The first link 152 is swingably attachedto the movable platen 120 by a pin or the like. The second link 153 isswingably attached to the toggle support 130 by a pin or the like. Thesecond link 153 is attached to the crosshead 151 via a third link 154.When the crosshead 151 is moved forward and backward with respect to thetoggle support 130, the first link 152 and the second link 153 areextended and retracted, and the movable platen 120 moves forward andbackward with respect to the toggle support 130.

The configuration of the toggle mechanism 150 is not limited to theconfiguration illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 . For example, in FIGS. 1 and2 , the number of nodes in each link group is 5, but the number of nodesmay be 4, and one end of the third link 154 may be connected to the nodebetween the first link 152 and the second link 153.

The mold clamping motor 160 is attached to the toggle support 130 tocause the toggle mechanism 150 to operate. The mold clamping motor 160extends and retracts the first link 152 and the second link 153 bymoving the crosshead 151 forward and backward with respect to the togglesupport 130, and moves the movable platen 120 forward and backward withrespect to the toggle support 130. The mold clamping motor 160 isdirectly connected to the motion conversion mechanism 170, but may beconnected to the motion conversion mechanism 170 via a belt, a pulley,etc.

The motion conversion mechanism 170 converts the rotational motion ofthe mold clamping motor 160 into a linear motion of the crosshead 151.The motion conversion mechanism 170 includes a screw shaft and a screwnut that screws into the screw shaft. A ball or a roller may beinterposed between the screw shaft and the screw nut.

The mold clamping unit 100 performs a mold closing process, apressure-boosting process, a mold clamping process, a pressure-releasingprocess, and a mold opening process under the control of the controldevice 700.

In the mold closing process, the mold clamping motor 160 is driven toadvance the crosshead 151 to the mold closing completion position at aset moving speed, thereby advancing the movable platen 120 and causingthe movable mold 820 to touch the stationary mold 810. The position andmoving speed of the crosshead 151 are detected by using, for example, amold clamping motor encoder 161. The mold clamping motor encoder 161detects the rotation of the mold clamping motor 160 and sends a signalindicating the result of the detection to the control device 700.

The crosshead position detector for detecting the position of thecrosshead 151 and the crosshead moving speed detector for detecting themoving speed of the crosshead 151 are not limited to the mold clampingmotor encoder 161, but general detectors may be used. The movable platenposition detector for detecting the position of the movable platen 120and the movable platen moving speed detector for detecting the movingspeed of the movable platen 120 are not limited to the mold clampingmotor encoder 161, and general detectors may be used.

In the pressure-boosting process, the mold clamping force is generatedby further driving the mold clamping motor 160 to further advance thecrosshead 151 from the mold closing position to the mold clampingposition.

In the mold clamping process, the mold clamping motor 160 is driven tomaintain the position of the crosshead 151 at the mold clampingposition. In the mold clamping process, the mold clamping forcegenerated in the pressure-boosting process is maintained. In the moldclamping process, a cavity space 801 (see FIG. 2 ) is formed between themovable mold 820 and the stationary mold 810, and the injection unit 300fills the cavity space 801 with a liquid molding material. The insertedmolding material is solidified, resulting in a molding product.

The number of cavity spaces 801 may be one or more. In the latter case,several molding products are obtained simultaneously. An insert materialmay be placed in one part of the cavity space 801 and the other part ofthe cavity space 801 may be filled with a molding material. A moldingproduct that integrates the insert material and the molding material maybe obtained.

In the pressure-releasing process, the mold clamping motor 160 is drivento retract the crosshead 151 from the mold clamping position to the moldopening start position, thereby retracting the movable platen 120 andreducing the mold clamping force. The mold opening start position andthe mold closing completion position may be the same position.

In the mold opening process, the mold clamping motor 160 is driven toretract the crosshead 151 from the mold opening start position to themold opening completion position at a set moving speed, thus retractingthe movable platen 120 and separating the movable mold 820 from thestationary mold 810. Subsequently, the ejector unit 200 ejects themolding product from the movable mold 820.

The setting conditions in the mold closing process, thepressure-boosting process, and the mold clamping process arecollectively set as a series of setting conditions. For example, themoving speed and position (including the mold closing start position,the moving speed switching position, the mold closing completionposition, and the mold clamping position) of the crosshead 151 and themold clamping force in the mold closing process and thepressure-boosting process, are collectively set as a series of settingconditions. The mold closing start position, the moving speed switchingposition, the mold closing completion position, and the mold clampingposition are arranged in the stated order from the back side toward thefront side and represent the start point and the end point of thesection where the moving speed is set. For each section, a moving speedis set. The moving speed switching position may be one or more. Themoving speed switching position need not be set. Only one of either themold clamping position or the mold clamping force may be set.

Setting conditions in the pressure-releasing process and the moldopening process are similarly set. For example, the moving speed and theposition (the mold opening start position, the moving speed switchingposition, and the mold opening completion position) of the crosshead 151in the pressure-releasing process and the mold opening process arecollectively set as a series of setting conditions. The mold openingstart position, the moving speed switching position, and the moldopening completion position are arranged in the stated order from thefront side toward the back side and represent the start point and theend point of the section where the moving speed is set. For eachsection, a moving speed is set. The moving speed switching position maybe one or more. The moving speed switching position need not be set. Themold opening start position and the mold closing completion position maybe the same position. The mold opening completion position and the moldclosing start position may be the same.

Instead of the moving speed and position of the crosshead 151, themoving speed and position of the movable platen 120 may be set. Insteadof the position of the crosshead (e.g., mold clamping position) or theposition of the movable platen, the mold clamping force may be set.

Incidentally, the toggle mechanism 150 amplifies the driving force ofthe mold clamping motor 160 and transmits the driving force to themovable platen 120. The amplification factor thereof is also referred toas “the toggle factor”. The toggle factor varies according to the angleθ (hereinafter also referred to as a “link angle θ”) formed by the firstlink 152 and the second link 153. The link angle θ is obtained from theposition of the crosshead 151. When the link angle θ is 180 degrees, thetoggle factor is at the maximum.

When the thickness of the mold unit 800 changes due to the replacementof the mold unit 800 or a change in the temperature of the mold unit800, the mold space is adjusted so that a predetermined mold clampingforce is obtained at the time of mold clamping. In the mold spaceadjustment, the interval L between the stationary platen 110 and thetoggle support 130 is adjusted so that the link angle θ of the togglemechanism 150 becomes a predetermined angle, for example, at the time ofmold touch when the movable mold 820 touches the stationary mold 810.

The mold clamping unit 100 includes a mold space adjustment mechanism180. The mold space adjustment mechanism 180 adjusts the interval Lbetween the stationary platen 110 and the toggle support 130 to adjustthe mold space. The timing when the mold space adjustment is performedis, for example, between the end of a molding cycle and the start of thenext molding cycle. The mold space adjustment mechanism 180 includes,for example, a screw shaft 181 formed at the rear end of the tie bar140, a screw nut 182 held rotatably but not movable back and forth bythe toggle support 130, and a mold space adjustment motor 183 forrotating the screw nut 182 screwed to the screw shaft 181.

The screw shaft 181 and the screw nut 182 are provided for each tie bar140. The rotational driving force of the mold space adjustment motor 183may be transmitted to multiple screw nuts 182 via a rotational drivingforce transmitting unit 185. Multiple screw nuts 182 can be rotatedsynchronously. By changing the transmission path of the rotationaldriving force transmitting unit 185, it is also possible to rotate eachof the multiple screw nuts 182 individually.

The rotational driving force transmitting unit 185 is configured by, forexample, gears. In this case, a driven gear is formed on the outercircumference of each screw nut 182, a driving gear is attached to theoutput shaft of the mold space adjustment motor 183, and a plurality ofdriven gears and an intermediate gear meshing with a driving gear areheld rotatably at the center of the toggle support 130. The rotationaldriving force transmitting unit 185 may be configured by a belt, apulley or the like instead of a gear.

The operation of the mold space adjustment mechanism 180 is controlledby the control device 700. The control device 700 drives the mold spaceadjustment motor 183 to rotate the screw nut 182. As a result, theposition of the toggle support 130 with respect to the tie bar 140 isadjusted and the interval L between the stationary platen 110 and thetoggle support 130 is adjusted. Multiple mold space adjustmentmechanisms may be used in combination.

The interval L is detected by using a mold space adjustment motorencoder 184. The mold space adjustment motor encoder 184 detects therotation amount and the rotation direction of the mold space adjustmentmotor 183 and sends a signal indicating the result of the detection tothe control device 700. The detection result of the mold spaceadjustment motor encoder 184 is used to monitor and control the positionand the interval L of the toggle support 130. Note that the togglesupport position detector for detecting the position of the togglesupport 130 and the interval detector for detecting the interval L arenot limited to the mold space adjustment motor encoder 184 and generaldetectors can be used.

The mold clamping unit 100 may have a mold temperature controller toadjust the temperature of the mold unit 800. Inside the mold unit 800,there is a flow path for a temperature control medium. The moldtemperature controller adjusts the temperature of the mold unit 800 byadjusting the temperature of a temperature control medium supplied tothe flow path of the mold unit 800.

The mold clamping unit 100 of the present embodiment is a horizontaltype with the mold opening and closing direction in the horizontaldirection, but the mold clamping unit 100 may be a vertical type withthe mold opening and closing direction in the vertical direction.

The mold clamping unit 100 of the present embodiment has the moldclamping motor 160 as a driving source, but the mold clamping unit 100may have a hydraulic cylinder instead of the mold clamping motor 160.The mold clamping unit 100 may include a linear motor for mold openingand closing and an electromagnet for mold clamping.

Ejector Unit

In the description of the ejector unit 200, as in the description of themold clamping unit 100, the moving direction of the movable platen 120when the mold is closed (for example, the positive X-axis direction) isdescribed as forward, and the moving direction of the movable platen 120when the mold is opened (for example, the negative X-axis direction) isdescribed as backward.

The ejector unit 200 is attached to the movable platen 120 and movesback and forth together with the movable platen 120. The ejector unit200 has an ejector rod 210 that ejects the molding product from the moldunit 800 and a driving mechanism 220 that moves the ejector rod 210 inthe moving direction (X-axis direction) of the movable platen 120.

The ejector rod 210 is arranged so as to be movable back and forth in athrough hole of the movable platen 120. The front end of the ejector rod210 contacts an ejector plate 826 of the movable mold 820. The front endof the ejector rod 210 may or may not be connected to the ejector plate826.

The driving mechanism 220 includes, for example, an ejector motor and amotion conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of theejector motor into the linear motion of the ejector rod 210. The motionconversion mechanism includes a screw shaft and a screw nut that screwsinto the screw shaft. A ball or roller may be interposed between thescrew shaft and the screw nut.

The ejector unit 200 performs the ejection process under the control ofthe control device 700. In the ejection process, the ejector rod 210 isadvanced from the standby position to the ejection position at a setmoving speed, to advance the ejector plate 826, and eject the moldingproduct. Subsequently, the ejector motor is driven to retract theejector rod 210 at a set moving speed and the ejector plate 826 isretracted to the original standby position.

The position and the moving speed of the ejector rod 210 are detected byusing, for example, an ejector motor encoder. The ejector motor encoderdetects the rotation of the ejector motor and sends a signal indicatingthe result of the detection to the control device 700. The ejector rodposition detector for detecting the position of the ejector rod 210 andthe ejector rod moving speed detector for detecting the moving speed ofthe ejector rod 210 are not limited to an ejector motor encoder, butgeneral detectors can be used.

Injection Unit

In the description of the injection unit 300, unlike the description ofthe mold clamping unit 100 and the description of the ejector unit 200,the moving direction of a screw 330 during filling (for example, thenegative X-axis direction) is described as forward and the movingdirection of the screw 330 during metering (for example, the positiveX-axis direction) is described as backward.

The injection unit 300 is installed on a slide base 301, and the slidebase 301 is arranged so as to be movable back and forth with respect tothe injection unit frame 920. The injection unit 300 is arranged so asto be movable back and forth with respect to the mold unit 800. Theinjection unit 300 touches the mold unit 800 and fills the cavity space801 in the mold unit 800 with the molding material metered in a cylinder310. The injection unit 300 includes, for example, the cylinder 310 thatheats the molding material, a nozzle 320 provided at the front end ofthe cylinder 310, the screw 330 that is arranged in the cylinder 310 soas to be movable back and forth and rotatable, a metering motor 340 thatrotates the screw 330, an injection motor 350 that moves the screw 330forward and backward, and a load detector 360 that detects the loadtransmitted between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330.

The cylinder 310 heats the molding material supplied inside from a feedport 311. The molding material includes, for example, resin. The moldingmaterial is formed, for example, in the form of a pellet and is suppliedto the feed port 311 in a solid state. The feed port 311 is formed atthe rear of the cylinder 310. A cooler 312, such as a water-coolingcylinder, is provided on the outer periphery at the rear of the cylinder310. In front of the cooler 312, the outer circumference of the cylinder310 is provided with a heater 313 such as a band heater and atemperature detector 314.

The cylinder 310 is divided into multiple zones in the axial direction(e.g., X-axis direction) of the cylinder 310. Each of the multiple zonesis provided with the heater 313 and the temperature detector 314. A settemperature is set in each of the multiple zones, and the control device700 controls the heater 313 so that the temperature detected by thetemperature detector 314 becomes the set temperature.

The nozzle 320 is provided at the front end of the cylinder 310 and ispressed against the mold unit 800. A heater 313 and a temperaturedetector 314 are provided on the outer periphery of the nozzle 320. Thecontrol device 700 controls the heater 313 so that the detectedtemperature of the nozzle 320 becomes the set temperature.

The screw 330 is arranged so as to be rotatable and movable back andforth in the cylinder 310. As the screw 330 is rotated, the moldingmaterial is sent forward along the spiral groove of the screw 330. Themolding material is gradually melted by heat from the cylinder 310 whilebeing sent forward. As the liquid molding material is sent to the frontof the screw 330 and accumulated at the front of the cylinder 310, thescrew 330 is retracted. Subsequently, when the screw 330 is advanced,the liquid molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 isinjected from the nozzle 320 and is filled into the mold unit 800.

A backflow prevention ring 331 is attached to the front of the screw330, so as to be movable back and forth, as a backflow prevention valveto prevent the backflow of the molding material from the front to therear of the screw 330 when the screw 330 is pushed forward.

As the screw 330 is advanced, the backflow prevention ring 331 is pushedbackward by the pressure of the molding material in front of the screw330 and retreats relative to the screw 330 to a blocking position (seeFIG. 2 ) that blocks the flow path of the molding material. Thisprevents the molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 fromflowing backward.

On the other hand, when the screw 330 is rotated, the backflowprevention ring 331 is pushed forward by the pressure of the moldingmaterial sent forward along the spiral groove of the screw 330 and isadvanced relative to the screw 330 to an open position (see FIG. 1 )that opens the flow path of the molding material. This sends the moldingmaterial to the front of the screw 330.

The backflow prevention ring 331 may be either a co-rotating type thatrotates together with the screw 330 or a non-co-rotating type that doesnot rotate with the screw 330.

The injection unit 300 may include a driving source that moves thebackflow prevention ring 331 back and forth with respect to the screw330 between the open position and the closed position.

The metering motor 340 rotates the screw 330. The driving source forrotating the screw 330 is not limited to the metering motor 340, but maybe, for example, a hydraulic pump.

An injection motor 350 moves the screw 330 back and forth. Between theinjection motor 350 and the screw 330, a motion conversion mechanism orthe like is provided to convert the rotational motion of the injectionmotor 350 into the linear motion of the screw 330. The motion conversionmechanism includes, for example, a screw shaft and a screw nut thatscrews into the screw shaft. A ball, roller or the like may be providedbetween the screw shaft and the screw nut. The driving source for movingthe screw 330 forward and backward is not limited to the injection motor350, but may be, for example, a hydraulic cylinder.

The load detector 360 detects the load transmitted between the injectionmotor 350 and the screw 330. The detected load is converted to pressureby the control device 700. A load detector 360 is provided in thetransmission path of the load between the injection motor 350 and thescrew 330 to detect the load acting on the load detector 360.

The load detector 360 sends a signal of the detected load to the controldevice 700. The load detected by the load detector 360 is converted intothe pressure acting between the screw 330 and the molding material andis used to control and monitor the pressure that the screw 330 receivesfrom the molding material, the back pressure against the screw 330, thepressure acting on the molding material from the screw 330, and thelike.

The pressure detector for detecting the pressure of the molding materialis not limited to the load detector 360, but a general pressure detectorcan be used. For example, a nozzle pressure sensor or a mold internalpressure sensor may be used. A nozzle pressure sensor will be installedin the nozzle 320. The mold internal pressure sensor will be installedinside the mold unit 800.

The injection unit 300 performs a metering process, a filling process, ahold pressure process, etc., under the control of the control device700. The filling process and the hold pressure process may becollectively referred to as “the injection process”.

In the metering process, the metering motor 340 is driven to rotate thescrew 330 at a set rotational speed and feed the molding materialforward along the spiral groove of the screw 330. Accordingly, themolding material is gradually melted. As the liquid molding material issent in front of the screw 330 and accumulated at the front of thecylinder 310, the screw 330 is retracted. The rotational speed of thescrew 330 is detected by using, for example, a metering motor encoder341. The metering motor encoder 341 detects the rotation of the meteringmotor 340 and sends a signal indicating the detection result to thecontrol device 700. The screw rotational speed detector for detectingthe rotational speed of the screw 330 is not limited to the meteringmotor encoder 341, and general detectors can be used.

In the metering process, a set back pressure may be applied to the screw330 by driving the injection motor 350 to limit the sudden retraction ofthe screw 330. The back pressure against the screw 330 is detected byusing, for example, the load detector 360. When the screw 330 isretracted to the metering completion position and a predetermined amountof molding material accumulates in front of the screw 330, the meteringprocess is completed.

The position and rotational speed of the screw 330 in the meteringprocess are set together as a series of setting conditions. For example,a metering start position, a rotational speed switching position, and ametering completion position are set. These positions are arranged inthe stated order from the front to the back and represent the startpoint and an end point of a section for which the rotational speed isset. For each section, a rotational speed is set. One or more rotationalspeed switching positions may be provided. The rotational speedswitching position need not be set. Also, back pressure is set for eachsection.

In the filling process, the injection motor 350 is driven to advance thescrew 330 at a set moving speed, and the liquid molding materialaccumulated in front of the screw 330 is filled into the cavity space801 in the mold unit 800. The position and moving speed of the screw 330are detected by using, for example, an injection motor encoder 351. Theinjection motor encoder 351 detects the rotation of the injection motor350 and sends a signal indicating the result of the detection to thecontrol device 700. When the position of the screw 330 reaches the setposition, switching (what is termed as V/P switching) from the fillingprocess to the hold pressure process is performed. The position wherethe V/P switching is performed is referred to as “the V/P switchingposition”. The set moving speed of the screw 330 may be changedaccording to the position of the screw 330, time, etc.

The position and moving speed of the screw 330 in the filling processare set together as a series of setting conditions. For example, afilling start position (also referred to as “the injection startposition”), a moving speed switching position, and a V/P switchingposition are set. These positions are arranged in the stated order fromthe rear to the front and represent the start point and the end point ofthe section in which the moving speed is set. For each section, a movingspeed is set. The moving speed switching position may be one or more.The moving speed switching position need not be set.

For each section where the moving speed of the screw 330 is set, anupper limit of the pressure of the screw 330 is set. The pressure of thescrew 330 is detected by the load detector 360. If the pressure of thescrew 330 is less than or equal to the set pressure, the screw 330 isadvanced at the set moving speed. On the other hand, if the pressure ofthe screw 330 exceeds the set pressure, the screw 330 is advanced at aslower moving speed than the set moving speed so that the pressure ofthe screw 330 is less than or equal to the set pressure, for the purposeof mold protection.

After the position of the screw 330 reaches the V/P switching positionin the filling process, the screw 330 may be temporarily stopped at theV/P switching position, and then the V/P switching may be performed.Immediately before the V/P switching, a slow forward or slow backwardmovement of the screw 330 may be performed instead of stopping the screw330. Moreover, the screw position detector for detecting the position ofthe screw 330 and the screw moving speed detector for detecting themoving speed of the screw 330 are not limited to the injection motorencoder 351, and general detectors can be used.

During the hold pressure process, the injection motor 350 is driven topush the screw 330 forward, keeping the pressure of the molding materialat the front end of the screw 330 (hereinafter, also referred to as“holding pressure”) at a set pressure, and pushing the remaining moldingmaterial in the cylinder 310 toward the mold unit 800. The amount ofmolding material that is deficient due to cooling and contracting in themold unit 800 can be replenished. The holding pressure is detected byusing, for example, the load detector 360. The set value of the holdingpressure may be changed according to the elapsed time from the start ofthe hold pressure process, etc. The holding pressure in the holdpressure process and the time for holding the holding pressure may beset multiple times, respectively, and may be set together as a series ofsetting conditions.

During the hold pressure process, the molding material in the cavityspace 801 in the mold unit 800 is gradually cooled, and upon completionof the hold pressure process, the inlet of the cavity space 801 isblocked by the solidified molding material. This state is referred to as“a gate seal” and prevents backflow of the molding material from thecavity space 801. After the hold pressure process, a cooling process isinitiated. The cooling process involves solidifying the molding materialin the cavity space 801. The metering process may be performed duringthe cooling process for the purpose of shortening the molding cycletime.

The injection unit 300 of the present embodiment is an in-line screwsystem, but a preplasticizing system or the like may be used. Theinjection unit of the preplasticizing system supplies an injectioncylinder with the molding material melted in the plasticizing cylinder,and the injection cylinder injects the molding material into a moldunit. Within the plasticizing cylinder, a screw is arranged so as to berotatable and not movable back and forth, or the screw is arranged so asto be rotatable and movable back and forth. On the other hand, in theinjection cylinder, a plunger is arranged so as to be movable back andforth.

Further, the injection unit 300 of the present embodiment is ahorizontal type in which the axial direction of the cylinder 310 ishorizontal, but may be a vertical type in which the axial direction ofthe cylinder 310 is vertical. The mold clamping unit combined with thevertical injection unit 300 may be either vertical or horizontal.Similarly, the mold clamping unit combined with the horizontal injectionunit 300 may be either horizontal or vertical.

Moving Unit

In the description of the moving unit 400, as in the description of theinjection unit 300, the moving direction of the screw 330 during filling(for example, the negative X-axis direction) is referred to as“forward”, and the moving direction of the screw 330 during metering(for example, the positive X-axis direction) is referred to as“backward”.

The moving unit 400 moves the injection unit 300 forward and backwardwith respect to the mold unit 800. The moving unit 400 also presses thenozzle 320 against the mold unit 800 to produce nozzle touch pressure.The moving unit 400 includes a hydraulic pump 410, a motor 420 as adriving source, a hydraulic cylinder 430 as a hydraulic actuator, etc.

The hydraulic pump 410 has a first port 411 and a second port 412. Thehydraulic pump 410 is a pump that can rotate in both directions, and byswitching the rotation direction of the motor 420, hydraulic fluid(e.g., oil) is drawn from either one of the first port 411 or the secondport 412 and discharged from the other port to generate hydraulicpressure. The hydraulic pump 410 can also suction the hydraulic fluidfrom a tank and discharge the hydraulic fluid from either the first port411 or the second port 412.

The motor 420 operates the hydraulic pump 410. The motor 420 drives thehydraulic pump 410 in a rotational direction and by a rotational torqueaccording to a control signal from the control device 700. The motor 420may be an electric motor or an electric servomotor.

The hydraulic cylinder 430 has a cylinder body 431, a piston 432, and apiston rod 433. The cylinder body 431 is fixed to the injection unit300. The piston 432 divides the inside of the cylinder body 431 into afront chamber 435 as a first chamber and a rear chamber 436 as a secondchamber. The piston rod 433 is fixed to the stationary platen 110.

The front chamber 435 of the hydraulic cylinder 430 is connected to thefirst port 411 of the hydraulic pump 410 through a first flow path 401.The hydraulic fluid discharged from the first port 411 is supplied tothe front chamber 435 through the first flow path 401, and the injectionunit 300 is pushed forward. The injection unit 300 is advanced and thenozzle 320 is pressed against the stationary mold 810. The front chamber435 functions as a pressure chamber that generates the nozzle touchpressure of the nozzle 320 by the pressure of the hydraulic fluidsupplied from the hydraulic pump 410.

On the other hand, the rear chamber 436 of the hydraulic cylinder 430 isconnected to the second port 412 of the hydraulic pump 410 through asecond flow path 402. When the hydraulic fluid discharged from thesecond port 412 is supplied to the rear chamber 436 of the hydrauliccylinder 430 through the second flow path 402, the injection unit 300 ispushed backward. The injection unit 300 is retracted and the nozzle 320is separated from the stationary mold 810.

Note that in the present embodiment, the moving unit 400 includes thehydraulic cylinder 430, but the present invention is not limitedthereto. For example, instead of the hydraulic cylinder 430, an electricmotor and a motion conversion mechanism that converts the rotationalmotion of the electric motor into the linear motion of the injectionunit 300 may be used.

Control Device

The control device 700 is configured by, for example, a computer, andincludes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 701, a storage medium 702 suchas a memory, an input interface (I/F) 703, an output I/F 704, and acommunication interface 705 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 . Thecontrol device 700 performs various control operations by having the CPU701 execute a program stored in the storage medium 702. Further, thecontrol device 700 receives a signal from the outside by the input I/F703 and transmits a signal to the outside by the output I/F 704.Further, the control device 700 transmits and receives information toand from an information processing apparatus (a personal computer, forexample) that is connected via a network by the communication interface705.

The control device 700 repeatedly manufactures a molding product byrepeating the metering process, the mold closing process, thepressure-boosting process, the mold clamping process, the fillingprocess, the hold pressure process, the cooling process, thepressure-releasing process, the mold opening process, and the ejectionprocess. The sequence of operations to produce a molding product, forexample, from the beginning of the metering process to the beginning ofthe next metering process, is referred to as a “shot” or a “moldingcycle”. The time required for one shot is also referred to as the“molding cycle time” or the “cycle time”.

One molding cycle includes, for example, a metering process, a moldclosing process, a pressure-boosting process, a mold clamping process, afilling process, a hold pressure process, a cooling process, apressure-releasing process, a mold opening process, and an ejectionprocess, in the stated order. This order is the order of the start ofeach process. The filling process, the hold pressure process, and thecooling process are performed during the mold clamping process. Thestart of the mold clamping process may coincide with the start of thefilling process. The completion of the pressure-releasing processcoincides with the start of the mold opening process.

Multiple processes may be performed simultaneously for the purpose ofshortening the molding cycle time. For example, the metering process maybe performed during the cooling process of the previous molding cycle orduring the mold clamping process. In this case, the mold closing processmay be performed at the beginning of the molding cycle. The fillingprocess may also be started during the mold closing process. Theejection process may also be started during the mold opening process. Ifan opening/closing valve is provided to open and close the flow path ofthe nozzle 320, the mold opening process may be started during themetering process. This is because even if the mold opening process isstarted during the metering process, the molding material does not leakfrom the nozzle 320 if the opening/closing valve closes the flow path ofthe nozzle 320.

Note that a single molding cycle may include processes other than themetering process, the mold closing process, the pressure-boostingprocess, the mold clamping process, the filling process, the holdpressure process, the cooling process, the pressure-releasing process,the mold opening process, and the ejection process.

For example, after the completion of the hold pressure process andbefore the start of the metering process, a pre-metering suck backprocess may be performed in which the screw 330 is retracted to a presetmetering start position. The pressure of the molding materialaccumulated in front of the screw 330 before the start of the meteringprocess can be reduced and the sudden retreat of the screw 330 at thestart of the metering process can be prevented.

After the completion of the metering process and before the start of thefilling process, a post-metering suck back process may be performed inwhich the screw 330 is retracted to a preset filling start position(also referred to as “the injection start position”). The pressure ofthe molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 before thestart of the filling process can be reduced and the leakage of themolding material from the nozzle 320 before the start of the fillingprocess can be prevented.

The control device 700 is connected to an operation device 750 thatreceives input operations by the user and a display device 760 thatdisplays a screen. The operation device 750 and the display device 760are configured by, for example, a touch panel 770 and may be integrated.The touch panel 770, as the display device 760, displays a screen undercontrol by the control device 700. Information such as the settings ofthe injection molding machine 10 and the current status of the injectionmolding machine 10 may be displayed on the screen of the touch panel770. The touch panel 770 can receive an operation in the displayedscreen area. Moreover, in the screen area of the touch panel 770, forexample, an operation part such as a button or an input field forreceiving an input operation by the user may be displayed. The touchpanel 770, as the operation device 750, detects an input operation onthe screen by the user and outputs a signal corresponding to the inputoperation to the control device 700. Thus, for example, while confirmingthe information displayed on the screen, the user can operate theoperation part provided on the screen to make settings of the injectionmolding machine 10 (including input of setting values), etc. When theuser operates the operation part provided on the screen, the operationof the injection molding machine 10 corresponding to the operation partcan be performed. The operation of the injection molding machine 10 maybe, for example, the operation (including stopping) of the mold clampingunit 100, the ejector unit 200, the injection unit 300, the moving unit400, etc. Further, the operation of the injection molding machine 10 maybe, for example, switching the screen displayed on the touch panel 770as the display device 760.

The operation device 750 and the display device 760 of the presentembodiment are described as being integrated as the touch panel 770, butthese devices may be provided independently. Further, a plurality ofoperation devices 750 may be provided. The operation device 750 and thedisplay device 760 are arranged on the operation side (negative Y-axisdirection) of the mold clamping unit 100 (more specifically, thestationary platen 110).

First Embodiment

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the elements of the control device 700according to one embodiment in functional blocks. Each functional blockillustrated in FIG. 3 is conceptual and does not necessarily need to bephysically constructed as illustrated. All or part of each functionalblock can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated byany unit. All or any part of each processing function performed in eachfunctional block is implemented by a program executed by the CPU 701.Alternatively, each functional block may be implemented as hardware withwired logic. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the control device 700 includesa receiving part 712 and an output part 713. The control device 700 alsoincludes an information storage part 711 in the storage medium 702.

The information storage part 711 stores log information indicatingsetting information set by a user, actual values detected by varioussensors, and monitoring results or statistical values obtained by thecontrol device 700.

The receiving part 712 receives the user's operation from the touchpanel 770 via the input I/F 703.

The output part 713 outputs data such as a display screen to the touchpanel 770. According to the present embodiment, for each process in themolding process by the injection molding machine 10, the output part 713outputs, to the touch panel 770, a display screen including settinginformation set by the user in the process or waveform data (an exampleof waveform information) indicating, by a waveform, the change accordingto the actual value detected in the process. Although the presentembodiment describes an example of outputting a display screen or thelike to the touch panel 770, the output destination of data is notlimited to the touch panel 770. For example, the output part 713 mayoutput data such as a display screen to an information processingapparatus connected via a network.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the display screen output by the outputpart 713 of the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 4 , on adisplay screen 1400, an X-axis unit field 1401, a Y-axis unit field1402, a waveform logging monitor setting 1403, a monitor range left1404, a monitor range right 1405, a 1-shot output field 1406, an X-axisfield 1407, and a trigger (Ch 1-5) field 1408 are indicated.Furthermore, the display screen 1400 indicates 5 channel fields (a 1stchannel field 1411 to a 5th channel field 1415), a waveform data field1420, and a selected range display field 1430. In the presentembodiment, the channel field is a field for selecting items to bedisplayed.

In the display screen illustrated in FIG. 4 , setting information foreach shot of the injection molding machine 10 and actual values detectedby various sensors are displayed. In the display screen of the presentembodiment, the actual value of the current shot can also be displayedin real time.

The receiving part 712 illustrated in FIG. 4 receives a selectionoperation or an input operation in the above described field via thetouch panel 770. Then, the output part 713 switches the display screen(for example, the waveform data field 1420 or the selected range displayfield 1430) displayed on the touch panel 770 according to the receivedselection operation or input operation.

For example, the receiving part 712 receives a selection operation or aninput operation, through the touch panel 770, for the X-axis unit field1401, the Y-axis unit field 1402, the 1-shot output field 1406, and theX-axis field 1407. The output part 713 switches the displayed waveformdata field 1420 according to the received selection operation.

The X-axis unit field 1401 is a field for selecting the unit to bedisplayed on the X-axis of the waveform data field 1420. For example,“time” or “screw position” can be selected. The Y-axis unit field 1402is a field for selecting a unit to be displayed on the Y-axis of thewaveform data field 1420. In the Y-axis unit field 1402, for example,“ratio” or “engineering unit” can be selected. The 1-shot output field1406 is a button for storing information about the shot including theprocess displayed in the waveform data field 1420, etc. The X-axis field1407 is a field for setting the range of the X-axis (e.g., time) to bedisplayed in the waveform data field 1420.

The waveform logging monitor setting 1403 is a field for setting whetherinformation indicating the processing result by the injection moldingmachine 10 is to be stored in the information storage part 711. In thepresent embodiment, when the waveform logging monitor setting 1403 ispressed (when the display is “on”), the output part 713 controls theinformation storage part 711 to store the information.

The monitor range left 1404 is a field for setting the left end (displaystart position) on the X-axis of the waveform data field 1420 in orderto set the range to be displayed in the selected range display field1430. In the present embodiment, the monitor range left 1404 and a leftslider 1426 displayed in the waveform data field 1420 are linked. Theleft slider 1426 points to the left end (display start position) on theX-axis for setting the range of the selected range display field 1430.When a numerical value is input to the monitor range left 1404, theoutput part 713 generates and outputs a display screen in which the leftslider 1426 has moved according to the numerical value.

The monitor range right 1405 is a field for setting the right edge(display end position) on the X-axis of the waveform data field 1420 inorder to set the range to be displayed in the selected range displayfield 1430. In the present embodiment, the monitor range right 1405 anda right slider 1427 displayed in the waveform data field 1420 arelinked. The right slider 1427 points to the right end (display endposition) on the X-axis for setting the range of the selected rangedisplay field 1430. Then, when a numerical value is input to the monitorrange right 1405, the output part 713 generates and outputs a displayscreen in which the right slider 1427 has moved according to thenumerical value.

The trigger (Ch 1-5) field 1408 is a field for selecting a process to bedisplayed in the waveform data field 1420. The trigger (Ch 1-5) field1408 according to the present embodiment has the form of a menu, forexample. Through the touch panel 770, the user performs an operation toselect a process to be displayed from a menu in which a plurality ofprocesses are displayed. This updates the process displayed in thetrigger (Ch 1-5) field 1408.

In FIG. 4 , the trigger (Ch 1-5) field 1408 is assumed to be an examplein which the process “start filling” is selected (set). In the exampleillustrated in FIG. 4 , in the process “start filling”, the output part713 outputs a display screen in which the waveform data of each item setin the 5 channel fields (the 1st channel field 1411 to the 5th channelfield 1415) is indicated in the waveform data field 1420.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 4 , in the trigger (Ch 1-5) field1408, it is assumed that an operation of selecting (setting) “startfilling” has been performed. The output part 713 outputs a displayscreen indicating the waveform data field 1420 including the waveformdata of each item set in the 5 channel fields (the 1st channel field1411 to the 5th channel field 1415), in the process “start filling”.

The 5 channel fields (the 1st channel field 1411 to the 5th channelfield 1415) are used to select items to be displayed as waveform data inthe waveform data field 1420. That is, in the present embodiment, fivepieces of waveform data related to item allocated to each channel can bedisplayed in the waveform data field 1420.

The 1st channel field 1411 is a field for setting items in Ch-1. Theitem to be displayed is set in the item field 1411A, the maximum value(an example of scale information) to be displayed as the waveform dataof the item of Ch-1 is set in the maximum value field 1411B, and theminimum value (an example of scale information) to be displayed as thewaveform data of the item of Ch-1 is set in the minimum value field1411C.

When the item field 1411A is pressed through the touch panel 770, theoutput part 713 outputs a menu screen on which a plurality of items aredisplayed. Then, the receiving part 712 receives the selection of theitem to be set to Ch-1 from the menu screen. The same applies to theitem fields 1412A to 1415A, and, therefore, the explanations thereof areomitted.

The maximum value field 1411B and the minimum value field 14110 arefields in which numerical values can be input. Further, the receivingpart 712 receives the input of the numerical value set via the touchpanel 770 into the maximum value field 1411B or the minimum value field1411C. The same applies to the maximum value fields 1412B to 1415B andthe minimum value fields 1412C to 1415C, and, therefore, theexplanations thereof are omitted.

In each channel field, “ON” or “OFF” can be set and displayed. “ON”indicates that the waveform data of the corresponding item is to bedisplayed, and “OFF” indicates that the waveform data of thecorresponding item is not to be displayed.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 4 , it is assumed that “injectionspeed detection” is set in the item field 1411A, “100.00” is set in themaximum value field 1411B, and “−100.00” is set in the minimum valuefield 1411C. “Injection speed detection” indicates the injection speedof the screw 330 detected by the injection motor encoder 351.

The 2nd channel field 1412 is a field for setting items in Ch-2. Theitem to be displayed is set in the item field 1412A, the maximum value(an example of scale information) to be displayed as the waveform dataof the item of Ch-2 is set in the maximum value field 1412B, and theminimum value (an example of scale information) to be displayed as thewaveform data of the item of Ch-2 is set in the minimum value field1412C.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 4 , it is assumed that “hold pressuredetection” is set in the item field 1412A, “100.00” is set in themaximum value field 1412B, and “−100.00” is set in the minimum valuefield 1412C. “Hold pressure detection” indicates the value of holdingpressure detected by the load detector 360.

The 3rd channel field 1413 is a field for setting items in Ch-3. Theitem to be displayed is set in the item field 1413A, the maximum value(an example of scale information) to be displayed as the waveform dataof the item of Ch-3 is set in the maximum value field 1413B, and theminimum value (an example of scale information) to be displayed as thewaveform data of the item of Ch-3 is set in the minimum value field1413C.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 4 , it is assumed that “mold clampingforce detection” is set in the item field 1413A, “200.00” is set in themaximum value field 1413B, and “0.00” is set in the minimum value field1413C. “Mold clamping force detection” indicates the mold clamping forcedetected by the tie bar distortion detector 141.

The 4th channel field 1414 is a field for setting items in Ch-4. Theitem to be displayed is set in the item field 1414A, the maximum value(an example of scale information) to be displayed as the waveform dataof the item of Ch-4 is set in the maximum value field 1414B, and theminimum value (an example of scale information) to be displayed as thewaveform data of the item of Ch-4 is set in the minimum value field1414C.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 4 , it is assumed that “rotationdetection” is set in the item field 1414A, “200.00” is set in themaximum value field 14148, and “0.00” is set in the minimum value field1414C. “Rotation detection” indicates the rotational speed of the screw330 detected by the metering motor encoder 341.

The 5th channel field 1415 is a field for setting items in Ch-5. Theitem to be displayed is set in the item field 1415A, the maximum value(an example of scale information) to be displayed as the waveform dataof the item of Ch-5 is set in the maximum value field 1415B, and theminimum value (an example of scale information) to be displayed as thewaveform data of the item of Ch-5 is set the minimum value field 1415C.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 4 , it is assumed that “back pressuredetection” is set in the item field 1415A, “100.00” is set in themaximum value field 1415B, and “0.00” is set in the minimum value field1415C. “Back pressure detection” indicates the back pressure of thescrew 330 detected by the load detector 360.

The waveform data field 1420 in FIG. 4 displays waveform dataindicating, in the form of a waveform, the value (change in actual valueor change in setting information) of each item set in each of the 5channel fields (the 1st channel field 1411 to the 5th channel field1415), in the process selected in the trigger (Ch 1-5) field 1408.

The waveform data 1421 in the waveform data field 1420 illustrates thechange in the detection result (an example of the actual value) of the“injection speed detection” set in the 1st channel field 1411 (Ch-1).

The maximum value of the waveform data field 1420 for displaying thewaveform data 1421 is the value set in the maximum value field 1411B,and the minimum value of the waveform data field 1420 for displaying thewaveform data 1421 is the value set in the minimum value field 1411C.The same applies to the maximum and minimum values of the waveform datadisplayed in the waveform data field 1420 with respect to the subsequentitems, and, therefore, the explanations thereof are omitted.

The waveform data 1422 indicates a change in the detection result (anexample of the actual value) of “hold pressure detection” set in the 2ndchannel field 1412 (Ch-2).

The waveform data 1423 indicates the change in the detection result (anexample of the actual value) of the “mold clamping force detection” setin the 3rd channel field 1413 (Ch-3).

The waveform data 1424 indicates the change in the detection result (anexample of the actual value) of the “rotation detection” set in the 4thchannel field 1414 (Ch-4).

The waveform data 1425 indicates the change in the detection result (anexample of the actual value) of the “back pressure detection” set in the5th channel field 1415 (Ch-5).

The receiving part 712 according to the present embodiment receivesselections of items with respect to the item fields 1411A to 1415A ofeach channel field as information to be displayed for the processselected in the trigger (Ch 1-5) field 1408.

When the receiving part 712 receives the selection of an item, theoutput part 713 displays, in the waveform data field 1420, the waveformdata indicating the change in the setting information or the detectionresult of the item received as selection.

In the output part 713, the left slider 1426 (the starting value on theleft side of the X-axis in the waveform data field 1420) and the rightslider 1427 (the ending value on the right side of the X-axis in thewaveform data field 1420) are displayed in the waveform data field 1420.

When the receiving part 712 receives the operation of sliding in theleft or right direction from the touch panel 770, the output part 713displays the left slider 1426 moved to the right or left direction inthe waveform data field 1420. The numerical value displayed in themonitor range left 1404 changes according to the numerical value pointedby the left slider 1426 that has moved.

When the receiving part 712 receives the operation of sliding in theleft or right direction from the touch panel 770, the output part 713displays the right slider 1427 moved to the right or left direction inthe waveform data field 1420. The numerical value displayed in themonitor range right 1405 changes according to the numerical valuepointed by the right slider 1427 that has moved.

The selected range display field 1430 indicates a list of thestatistical values, the starting value, the ending value, etc., for eachitem set in each channel field within the range set by the left slider1426 and the right slider 1427.

In the selected range display field 1430 illustrated in FIG. 4 ,statistical values, etc., of items set in each of the channels (Ch-1 toCh-5), for example, the leftmost start value (Start), the maximum valuein the range (Max), the integral value in the range (Int), the averagevalue in the range (Ave), the minimum value in the range (Min), and therightmost end value (End) are displayed. Statistical values, etc., foreach item indicated in the selected range display field 1430 areindicated as an example, and other statistical values, etc., may bedisplayed.

Specifically, the selected range display field 1430 displays theleftmost start value (Start), the maximum value in the range (Max), theintegral value in the range (Int), the average value in the range (Ave),the minimum value in the range (Min), and the rightmost end value (End),in the range from the start value of the X-axis indicated by the leftslider 1426 to the end value of the X-axis indicated by the right slider1427, in the “injection speed detection” set to “Ch-1”.

Note that descriptions with respect to “hold pressure detection” set to“Ch-2”, “mold clamping force detection” set to “Ch-3”, “rotationdetection” set to “Ch-4”, and “back pressure detection” set to “Ch-5”,which are displayed in the selected range display field 1430, are alsosimilar to “Ch-1”, and, therefore, descriptions are omitted.

By calculating the integral value (Int) of the “back pressuredetection”, the output part 713 can display the total pressure appliedto the resin or the like in the specified range. Thus, the controldevice 700 according to the present embodiment can determine whetherthere is a defect based on the total pressure applied to the resin(e.g., determine whether the integral value is greater than or equal toa predetermined reference value Pth).

In the present embodiment, the output part 713 displays, in the waveformdata field 1420, the change of the actual value or the like associatedwith the passage of time or the like in the set process. The uservisually checks the relevant waveform data field 1420 and specifies theX-axis range (e.g., time zone) to be confirmed, via the touch panel 770with the left slider 1426 and the right slider 1427 (the monitor rangeleft 1404 and the monitor range right 1405).

That is, the range (e.g., time zone) that the user wants to monitor inany process may be limited. For example, there is a case where it isdesired to detect the pressure on the resin when the resin passesthrough the gate of the mold unit 800 in the process of injecting theresin “injection start”. In such a case, the time period when the resinpasses through the gate is specified by the left slider 1426 and theright slider 1427, from the position or the like of the screw 330displayed in the waveform data field 1420. The item “back pressuredetection” is then set to any channel. Thus, the output part 713 candisplay, in the selected range display field 1430, statistical valuesand the like at the time when the resin passes through the gate. Then,the user can visually check the selected range display field 1430 todetermine whether the molding product is appropriate or not. Such asetting needs to be specified by the user because the setting variesdepending on the mold unit 800. On the other hand, the control device700 according to the present embodiment can display statistical valuesand the like in any range with respect to items desired by the user bythe above configuration.

Furthermore, in the case where it is desired to monitor the minimumvalue, the maximum value, or the total pressure (integral value)pertaining to the resin for any item within a limited range, the minimumvalue, the maximum value, or the total pressure (integral value)pertaining to the resin can be monitored by specifying the range by theleft slider 1426 and the right slider 1427 as described above.Furthermore, by setting a determination reference for the statisticalvalue in the range, it is possible to determine whether the moldingproduct is defective or not. For example, if the total pressure of twoseconds after injection does not exceed a predetermined reference, themolding product may be determined as defective. The setting method ofthe determination will be described later with FIG. 7 .

In the present embodiment, the user performs the sliding operation withrespect to the left slider 1426 and the right slider 1427 displayed onthe display screen displayed on the touch panel 770. Accordingly, thereceiving part 712 receives a moving operation of one or both of theleft slider 1426 and the right slider 1427. In the present embodiment,the range for calculating the statistical value can be specified by anoperation of moving the left slider 1426 and the right slider 1427displayed on the touch panel 770. That is, because the range can bespecified by intuitive operations by the user, the operational load canbe reduced in the present embodiment.

The trigger (Ch 1-5) field 1408 is a field for selecting a process to bedisplayed in the waveform data field 1420. The trigger (Ch 1-5) field1408 according to the present embodiment is in the form of a menu. Thereceiving part 712 receives, via the touch panel 770, an operation toselect a process to be displayed, from among the multiple processesindicated on the menu screen.

When an operation to select a process is received, the output part 713according to the present embodiment outputs a display screen indicating,in the waveform data field 1420, the waveform data of the selected itemsin the item fields 1411A to 1415A in the process set in the trigger (Ch1-5) field 1408.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 4 , an example in which the range inthe X-axis direction (time) is specified by the left slider 1426 and theright slider 1427 is described. However, the present embodiment is notlimited to an example of specifying the range in the X-axis direction(time); the range in the Y-axis direction (actual value or settinginformation) may be specified by multiple sliders (for example, an upperslider and a lower slider) or the like. For example, by specifying avalue in the Y-axis direction (actual value or setting information) witha slider or the like, the output part 713 may output a list indicatingthe X-axis value (for example, time) when the specified value is reachedfor each item. Further, in the present embodiment, an example in whichtime is indicated as a value in the X-axis direction and an actual valueor a set value is indicated as an example of a value in the Y-axisdirection has been described. However, the present embodiment indicatesan example in which a range is specified in any axis direction withrespect to the waveform data, and the parameter assigned to each axis isnot limited to time, actual values, or set values. For example, theX-axis may indicate the amount of movement of the movable platen 120 orthe like, and the range of the amount of movement may be specified. Inthis way, when waveform data is displayed in a waveform data field inwhich any parameter is assigned to each axis, the present embodiment canbe applied to a case of specifying the range of the waveform data in anyaxis direction (for example, the range in the X-axis direction, or rangein the Y-axis direction).

The example illustrated in FIG. 4 illustrates the display screen in thecase of the process “start filling”. The present embodiment can beapplied to the processes other than the process “start filling”.Furthermore, although FIG. 4 is an example of assigning items to Ch-1 toCh-5, items may be assigned to even more channels (e.g., Ch-6 to Ch-10).This enables the monitoring of ten items during molding of the moldingproduct.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the display screen output by the outputpart 713 of the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 5 , on adisplay screen 1500, an X-axis unit field 1501, a Y-axis unit field1502, a waveform logging monitor setting 1503, a monitor range left1504, a monitor range right 1505, a 1-shot output field 1506, an X-axisfield 1507, and a trigger (Ch 6-10) field 1508 are indicated.Furthermore, the display screen 1500 indicates 5 channel fields (a 6thchannel field 1511 to a 10th channel field 1515), a waveform data field1520, and a selected range display field 1530. In the presentembodiment, the channel field is a field for selecting items to bedisplayed.

Note that the X-axis unit field 1501, the Y-axis unit field 1502, thewaveform logging monitor setting 1503, the 1-shot output field 1506, theX-axis field 1507, and the trigger (Ch 6-10) field 1508 are respectivelythe same as the X-axis unit field 1401, the Y-axis unit field 1402, thewaveform logging monitor setting 1403, the 1-shot output field 1406, theX-axis field 1407, and the trigger (Ch 1-5) field 1408 illustrated inFIG. 4 , and, therefore, descriptions thereof are omitted. Also, themonitor range left 1504 and the monitor range right 1505 arerespectively the same as the monitor range left 1404 and the monitorrange right 1405 in FIG. 4 , and, therefore, descriptions thereof areomitted.

In this example, “rotation setting” is set in the item field 1511A,“100.00” is set in maximum value field 1511B, and “−100.00” is set inminimum value field 1511C. “Rotation setting” indicates the setting ofthe rotational speed of the screw 330.

In this example, “rotation detection” is set in the item field 1512A,“100.00” is set in the maximum value field 1512B, and “−100.00” is setin the minimum value field 1512C. “Rotation detection” indicates therotational speed of the screw 330 detected by the metering motor encoder341.

In this example, “back pressure setting” is set in the item field 1513A,“25.00” is set in the maximum value field 1513B, and “0.00” is set inthe minimum value field 1513C. “Back pressure setting” indicates thesetting of back pressure against the screw 330.

In this example, “back pressure detection” is set in the item field1514A, “25.00” is set in the maximum value field 1514B, and “0.00” isset in the minimum value field 1514C. “Back pressure detection”indicates the back pressure against the screw 330 detected by the loaddetector 360.

In this example, “screw position detection” is set in the item field1515A, “100.00” is set in the maximum value field 1515B, and “0.00” isset in the minimum value field 1515C. “Screw position detection”indicates the position of the screw 330 detected by the injection motorencoder 351.

The waveform data field 1520 in FIG. 5 displays waveform dataindicating, in the form of a waveform, the value (change in actual valueor change in setting information) of each item set in each of the 5channel fields (the 6th channel field 1511 to the 10th channel field1515), in the process “start metering” set in the trigger (Ch 6-10)field 1508.

Waveform data 1521 in the waveform data field 1520 indicates settinginformation of the “rotation setting” set in the 6th channel field 1511(Ch-6). Waveform data 1522 indicates the change in the detection result(an example of the actual value) of the “rotation detection” set in the7th channel field 1512 (Ch-7).

Waveform data 1523 indicates the setting information of the “backpressure setting” set in the 8th channel field 1513 (Ch-8). Waveformdata 1524 indicates the change in the detection result (an example ofthe actual value) of the “back pressure detection” set in the 9thchannel field 1514 (Ch-9).

Waveform data 1525 indicates the change in the detection result (anexample of the actual value) of the “screw position detection” set inthe 10th channel field 1515 (Ch-10).

In the selected range display field 1530, the leftmost value (Start),the maximum value in the range (Max), the integral value in the range(Int), the average value in the range (Ave), the minimum value in therange (Min), and the rightmost value (End) for the items set in each ofthe channels (Ch-6 to Ch-10) are displayed.

When the receiving part 712 receives a rightward or leftward operationfrom the touch panel 770, the output part 713 displays the left slider1526 moved rightward or leftward in the waveform data field 1520.

When the receiving part 712 receives a rightward or leftward operationfrom the touch panel 770, the output part 713 displays the right slider1527 moved rightward or leftward in the waveform data field 1520.

The selected range display field 1530 indicates a list of thestatistical values, the starting value, the ending value, etc., for eachitem set in each channel field within the range set by the left slider1526 and the right slider 1527.

Next, the control procedure performed by the control device 700according to the first embodiment, in the case of receiving aspecification of the range to be specified in the selected range displayfield, will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the controlperformed by the control device 700 according to the first embodiment,when receiving a specification of a range to be specified in theselected range display field.

First, the output part 713 of the control device 700 outputs (displays),to the touch panel 770, a display screen in which a waveform data field,including waveform data for each item and two sliders, and a selectedrange display field, in any process, are displayed (step S1601).

The receiving part 712 receives a moving operation for at least one ofthe left and right sliders indicated in the waveform data field (stepS1602). The receiving part 712 may receive the input of a numericalvalue for at least one of the monitor range left and the monitor rangeright.

When the moving operation is received (step S1602: YES), the output part713 outputs (displays) a display screen including a selected rangedisplay field in which setting information and statistical values foreach item in the range specified in step S1602 are indicated (stepS1603). Then, the process is performed from step S1602.

On the other hand, when the receiving part 712 does not receive a movingoperation for at least one of the left and right sliders indicated inthe waveform data field (when there is no moving operation) (step S1602:NO), the process ends.

In the present embodiment, the output part 713 stores actual values,setting information, statistical values, etc., during molding, as loginformation in the information storage part 711. Settings for storingthis information as log information are made in a log informationscreen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a log information screen output by theoutput part 713 according to the present embodiment. According to thesettings of the log information screen, the output part 713 according tothe present embodiment stores actual values and the like obtained byvarious sensors in the information storage part 711.

In the log information screen 1700 illustrated in FIG. 7 , a totalnumber 1701, a number of good products 1702, a number of defectiveproducts 1703, a number of rejected products 1704, a data storage button1705, a monitor setting button 1706, a statistics list 1710, and anactual value list 1720 are indicated.

In the statistics list 1710, statistical values (e.g., average value,range, maximum value, minimum value, standard deviation) of each of thesetting fields 1711 to 1717 are indicated. The contents indicated in thesetting fields 1711 to 1717 can be set by the user. In the presentembodiment, it is possible to display, monitor, and store loginformation about the items indicated in the setting fields 1711 to1717. Note that the monitoring in the present embodiment refers to thedetermination of whether the product is good or not based on apredetermined reference.

“Monitor”, “monitor value”, and “range” in the statistics list 1710 areinformation for determining whether a product is defective in thesetting field.

The output part 713 indicates that monitoring is not performed whenmonitor is “OFF”, and indicates that monitoring is performed whenmonitor is “ON”. In the case of “ON”, the output part 713 determineswhether the measured actual value in the item indicated in the settingfield satisfies the reference indicated by “monitor value” and “range”.

“Defect” in the statistics list 1710 indicates the number of moldingproducts that do not satisfy the reference indicated by “monitor value”and “range”.

The “cycle time” in the setting field 1711, the “filling time” in thesetting field 1712, and the “metering time” in the setting field 1713are preset items to monitor the time required for the cycle, filling,and metering.

The receiving part 712 receives, in the setting fields 1711 to 1717,changes to the items indicated in the selected range display fields 1430and 1530 illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 .

“Start filling Ch-1 Ave” in the setting field 1714, “start filling Ch-5Int” in the setting field 1715, “start metering Ch-9 Int” in the settingfield 1716, and “start metering Ch-10 Start” in the setting field 1716indicate examples in which changes to the items indicated in theselected range display fields 1430 and 1530 have been received.

For example, “start filling Ch-1 Ave” is set as an item to monitor “Ave(average value)” of a range specified in the selected range displayfield 1430, with respect to “Ch-1”. Similarly, “start filling Ch-5 Int”is set as an item to monitor “Int (integral value)” of a range specifiedin the selected range display field 1430, with respect to “Ch-5”. Thesame applies to “start metering Ch-9 Int” and “start metering Ch-10Start”, and these are set as items to monitor parameters in a rangespecified in the selected range display field 1530.

The data storage button 1705 is a button that receives an instruction ofwhether to store statistical values (e.g., average value, range, maximumvalue, minimum value, standard deviation) for each of the setting fields1711 to 1717. When the data storage button 1705 is pressed (displayed as“data storage ON”), the output part 713 stores the statistical values ofeach of the setting fields 1711 to 1717 at the time of molding in theinformation storage part 711.

For example, storage with respect to the setting fields 1714 to 1717will be described. The output part 713 outputs (stores), to theinformation storage part 711 (an example of a storage device), thestatistic values (an example of information indicating thecharacteristic of the item) of each of the setting fields 1714 to 1717included in the range specified in the selected range display fields1430 and 1530. In the present embodiment, it is easy to storestatistical values in any range set by the user, and, therefore, qualitycontrol is facilitated.

The monitor setting button 1706 is a button for receiving an instructionof whether to perform monitoring according to the item to be monitoredin the setting field 1711. When the monitor setting button 1706 ispressed (displayed as “monitor on”), the output part 713 stores thestatistical values and the like for each of the setting fields 1711 to1717 in the information storage part 711 as log information.

The total number 1701 indicates the number of molding products molded inthe injection molding machine 10. The number of good products 1702indicates the number of molding products determined as good productsbased on “monitor”, “monitor value” and “range”. The number of defectiveproducts 1703 indicates the number of molding products determined asdefective products based on “monitor”, “monitor value”, and “range”. Thenumber of rejected products 1704 indicates the number of rejectedmolding products.

The actual value list 1720 indicates, for each shot, a list of settinginformation or actual values measured by various sensors in each of thechannels “Ch-1” to “Ch-10”. The output part 713 also stores theinformation indicated in the actual value list 1720 in the informationstorage part 711.

The control device 700 according to the present embodiment has theconfiguration described above, and, therefore, when the user desires toconfirm detailed information of any range of the waveform data displayedin the waveform data field, the user can easily select the correspondingrange by operating the left and right sliders displayed in the waveformdata field through the touch panel, thereby reducing the user'soperational load when displaying detailed information within thecorresponding range.

Second Embodiment

In the above embodiment, an example of displaying waveform data for oneprocess on the display screen has been described. However, the controldevice 700 is not limited to the display mode described above.Therefore, in the second embodiment, an example of displaying thewaveform data field in a different area for each of the multipleprocesses will be described. The configuration of the control device 700of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment,and, therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

The output part 713 according to the present embodiment displays adisplay screen including a waveform data field for two processes whenthe receiving part 712 receives an operation to display two processes.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a display screen output by the outputpart 713 of the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 8 , in adisplay screen 1800, a waveform data field 1820 for the process “startfilling” and a waveform data field 1870 for the process “start metering”are displayed. As illustrated in FIG. 8 , the screen output by theoutput part 713 according to the present embodiment to the touch panel770 displays a plurality of waveform data fields 1820 and 1870 (examplesof a plurality of areas). Each of the waveform data fields 1820 and 1870indicates the waveform data of the item set in the process. The presentembodiment describes an example in which pieces of waveform data of aplurality of different processes (first process and second process) areassigned to waveform data fields 1820 and 1870, respectively, but thewaveform data of the same process may be assigned to and displayed ineach of the plurality of waveform data fields.

In the display screen 1800, an X-axis unit field 1801, a Y-axis unitfield 1802, a monitor range left 1803, a monitor range right 1804, atrigger (Ch 1-5) field 1806, and an X-axis field 1805 of the firstprocess (for example, “start filling”) are indicated. These items arethe same as those of the first embodiment, and, therefore, descriptionsthereof are omitted.

Five channel fields (a 1st channel field 1811 to a 5th channel field1815) for the first process (for example, “start filling”), a waveformdata field 1820, and a selected range display field 1830 are indicated.

The five channel fields (the 1st channel field 1811 to the 5th channelfield 1815) are respectively the same as the channel fields (the 1stchannel field 1411 to the 5th channel field 1415) illustrated in FIG. 4of the first embodiment, and, therefore, descriptions thereof areomitted.

Waveform data 1821 to 1825 indicated in the waveform data field 1820indicates changes in the setting information or changes in the actualvalues of each item indicated in the 1st channel field 1811 to the 5thchannel field 1815.

In the output part 713, a left slider 1826 and a right slider 1827 aredisplayed in the waveform data field 1820.

When the receiving part 712 receives an operation of sliding in the leftor right direction from the touch panel 770, the output part 713displays the left slider 1826 moved to the right or left direction inthe waveform data field 1820. The numerical value displayed in themonitor range left 1803 changes according to the numerical value pointedby the left slider 1826 that has moved.

When the receiving part 712 receives the operation of sliding in theleft or right direction from the touch panel 770, the output part 713displays the right slider 1827 moved to the right or left direction inthe waveform data field 1820. The numerical value displayed in themonitor range right 1804 changes according to the numerical valuepointed by the right slider 1827 that has moved.

The selected range display field 1830 indicates a list of thestatistical values, the starting value, the ending value, etc., for eachitem set in each channel field within the range set by the left slider1826 and the right slider 1827.

In the display screen 1800, an X-axis unit field 1851, a Y-axis unitfield 1852, a monitor range left 1853, a monitor range right 1854, atrigger (Ch 6-10) field 1856, and a X-axis field 1855 of a secondprocess (for example, “start metering”) are indicated. These items thesame as those of the first embodiment, and, therefore, descriptionsthereof are omitted.

Five channel fields (a 6th channel field 1861 to a 10th channel field1865) for the second process (for example, “start metering”), a waveformdata field 1870, and a selected range display field 1880 are indicated.

The five channel fields (the 6th channel field 1861 to the 10th channelfield 1865) are respectively the same as the channel fields (the 6thchannel field 1511 to the 10th channel field 1515) illustrated in FIG. 5of the first embodiment, and, therefore, descriptions thereof areomitted.

Waveform data 1871 to 1875 indicated in the waveform data field 1870indicates changes in the setting information or changes in the actualvalues of each item indicated in the 6th channel field 1861 to the 10thchannel field 1865.

In the output part 713, a left slider 1876 and a right slider 1877 aredisplayed in the waveform data field 1870.

When the receiving part 712 receives the operation of sliding in theleft or right direction from the touch panel 770, the output part 713displays the left slider 1876 moved to the right or left direction inthe waveform data field 1870. The numerical value displayed in themonitor range left 1853 changes according to the numerical value pointedby the left slider 1876 that has moved.

When the receiving part 712 receives the operation of sliding in theleft or right direction from the touch panel 770, the output part 713displays the right slider 1877 moved to the right or left direction inthe waveform data field 1870. The numerical value displayed in themonitor range right 1854 changes according to the numerical valuepointed by the right slider 1877 that has moved.

The selected range display field 1880 indicates a list of thestatistical values, the starting value, the ending value, etc., for eachitem set in each channel field within the range set by the left slider1876 and the right slider 1877.

In the present embodiment, a range can be set for each of the waveformdata field 1820 of the first process (for example, “start filling”) andthe waveform data field 1870 of the second process (for example, “startmetering”). This enables the user to specify the range while confirmingthe related processes with each other, thus reducing the operationalload.

For example, the user can recognize the correspondence between backpressure at the time of metering and pressure at the time of filling, byconfirming the statistical value of “back pressure detection” measuredat the time of “start filling” while referring to the integral value of“back pressure detection” whose range is specified at “start metering”.

Further, the output part 713 according to the present embodiment maydisplay a single process in multiple waveform data fields. In this case,multiple ranges (For example, 0 to 2 seconds, and 0 to 5 seconds) can bespecified for a single process. This makes it possible to displaystatistical values and the like under various conditions, therebyimproving quality control.

The output part 713 of the control device 700 according to the abovedescribed embodiment outputs a display screen including a selected rangedisplay field in which setting information and statistical values ofeach item are indicated in the range specified by the left and rightsliders. The information indicated in the selected range display fieldcan also be stored as log information.

In the control device 700 according to the above embodiment, the usercan set the range while referring to the waveform data displayed in thewaveform data field, by using the left and right sliders of the waveformdata field and the like, and, therefore, the operation of setting therange to be monitored desired by the user can be facilitated. Thecontrol device 700 displays the information of the set range in theselected range display field, and, therefore, the user using the controldevice 700 can appropriately identify the situation of the range, andmore detailed quality control of the molding product can be implemented.The control device 700 can improve the reliability of the moldingproduct by preventing the variation in the quality of the moldingproduct by implementing detailed quality control.

The control device 700 according to the above described embodimentreceives operations on the left slider 1426 and the right slider 1427via the touch panel 770. In the control device 700, because the touchpanel 770 receives operations with respect to the left slider 1426 andthe right slider 1427 displayed on the touch panel 770, it is easier forthe user to intuitively specify the range of statistical values than thecase of directly inputting numerical values into a text field, and thusthe operational load can be reduced.

In the control device 700 according to the above described embodiment,the memory utilization can be reduced, by specifying the range to bemonitored, to prevent the display of information such as settinginformation and statistical values outside the specified range, whendisplaying the setting information and statistical values in thespecified range in the selected range display field. Furthermore, thecontrol device 700 can hold information included in the specifiedmonitor range as log information, while not storing information outsidethe monitor range, thereby preventing the storage of unnecessaryinformation, so that the utilization of the information storage part 711can be reduced.

The above described embodiment describes an example of using the touchpanel 770 as a display input device, which is an integrated device of adisplay device and an input device, and which can receive an operationin the screen area displayed by the display device, and which isconnected to the injection molding machine 10. However, the aboveembodiment does not limit the display input device to the touch panel770, as long as the display input device is connected to the injectionmolding machine 10 and can receive the operation in the screen area. Thedisplay input device may be, for example, a smartphone or tabletterminal that can be connected to the injection molding machine 10 bywireless communication.

Furthermore, the screen area where the display input device receives anoperation is not limited to the display screen of the touch panel 770described above. The display input device will suffice as long as thedevice can receive an operation on a displayed screen or the like, andmay receive an operation in an area (an example of a screen area)displaying visual information that is virtually expanded by using XR,such as VR (Virtual Reality), AR (Augmented Reality), MR (MixedReality), or the like.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the situation of therange can be appropriately identified, thereby enabling detailed qualitycontrol.

As described above, an embodiment of the injection molding machineaccording to the present invention has been described, but the presentinvention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. Variouschanges, modifications, substitutions, additions, deletions, andcombinations are possible within the scope of the claims. Thesemodifications, etc., are also included in the technical scope of thepresent invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A control device of an injection molding machine,the control device comprising: an output part configured to output, to adisplay device, waveform information indicating, by a waveform, a changeof each item indicating an actual value detected in a process by theinjection molding machine; and a receiving part configured to receive anoperation to specify a range of the waveform information, wherein theoutput part further outputs, to one or both of the display device and astorage device, information indicating a characteristic of each of theitems included in the specified range.
 2. The control device of theinjection molding machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality ofareas are displayed on a screen that is output to the display device bythe output part, and in each of the plurality of areas, the waveforminformation of the item set in the process of the injection moldingmachine is indicated.
 3. The control device of the injection moldingmachine according to claim 1, wherein the output part outputs theinformation indicating the characteristic of each of the items includedin the range, including at least one of a starting value of the item inthe range, a maximum value of the item in the range, an integral valueof the item in the range, an average value of the item in the range, aminimum value of the item in the range, or an ending value of the itemin the range.
 4. An injection molding machine comprising: an output partconfigured to output, to a display device, waveform informationindicating, by a waveform, a change of each item indicating an actualvalue detected in an injection molding machine; and a receiving partconfigured to receive an operation to specify a range of the waveforminformation, wherein the output part further outputs, to one or both ofthe display device and a storage device, information indicating acharacteristic of each of the items included in the specified range. 5.A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a programthat causes a computer to execute a process, the process comprising:outputting, to a display device, waveform information indicating, by awaveform, a change of each item indicating an actual value detected in aprocess by an injection molding machine; and receiving an operation tospecify a range of the waveform information, wherein the outputtingincludes outputting, to one or both of the display device and a storagedevice, information indicating a characteristic of each of the itemsincluded in the specified range.